Sarcoptic Mange

Introduction

Sarcoptic mange is a relatively common skin disease of dogs and other species, in the UK. It can affect animals of all ages, but may be most severe in puppies. It can also transfer to humans where it cannot burrow, but will cause a pruritic, erythrematous dermatitis.

Transmission of the disease is by direct contact.

The mite Sarcoptes scabiei is the cause. Strains of S. scabiei can be passed between different animals and cause clinical signs although the infection is likely to resolve spontaneously and be unlikely to establish.

The disease is common in the dog, rare in the cat and quite common in pigs, where the disease is also severe. In cattle, sheep and horses the disease is notifiable and rare.

Sarcoptic Mange is an important condition in pigs where 35% of pigs are asymptomatic carriers of the infection. Transmission is usually via direct contact from sow to piglets whilst suckling and from boars to gilts at service.

Clinical Signs

Puppy with sarcoptic mange
Caroldermoid 2006, Wikimedia Commons

The disease is characterised by erythema with papule formation, scale and crust formation, alopecia and intense pruritus for at least one week. This will often appear clinically as self-inflicted trauma wounds and scab formation.

There will be a wrinkling and thickening of skin in the chronic cases too and hypersensitivity may develop.

In the dog, clinical signs are characteristic with the first signs appearing at edges of ears, then progresses to muzzle, face and elbows. It is intensely pruritic.

First signs of infestation in pigs appear on the ears before spreading to the rest of the body, which is the same as dogs.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis can be made by the characteristic clinical signs. A deep skin scraping should be taken (skin scraping until capillary blood appears) then viewed under the microscope for identification of mites. Slides are prepared by placing material on a slide, adding 10% KOH and warming over a bunsen flame. Adults, eggs, immature mites and faecal pellets can be seen microscopically.

Treatment and Control

An acaricide should be used to treat this infection.

Both infected and in-contact animals should be treated, older products have to be given in repeat treatments. Avermectins are effective in farm animals and Selamectin is available as a good spot-on for dogs.

All bedding and materials that have come into contact with the animal, e.g. the car, must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

Control for pigs includes treating sows before entering the farrowing pen and treating boars at 6 month intervals.

Test yourself with the Mites Flashcards

Mites Flashcards

References

Foster, A, and Foll, C. (2003) BSAVA small animal dermatology (second edition) British Small Animal Veterinary Association

Fox, M and Jacobs, D. (2007) Parasitology Study Guide Part 1: Ectoparasites Royal Veterinary College

Taylor, D.J. (2006) Pig Diseases (Eighth edition) St Edmunsdbury Press ltd